Here’s why Richa Ghosh will miss India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand

Richa Ghosh's name was missing from India’s squad for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand that was announced on Thursday, October 17. The wicketkeeper-batter has marked her unavailability for the games owing to her 12th standard board exams.

The 21-year-old has prioritized studies this time and was exempted to miss the upcoming series. The three-match ODI series will be part of the ICC Women's ODI Championship 2022-25, with the 50-over World Cup slated to be played next year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad for the home series. In their statement, they mentioned the following for Ghosh’s exclusion:

“Ms. Richa Ghosh was unavailable for selection due to her 12th standard board exams.”

Richa Ghosh, who made her India debut at the age of 16, was last seen in the Blues during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side failed to make it to the semi-finals and faced a group-stage exit after losing two of their four games.

Pooja Vastrakar and Asha Sobhana also set to miss ODI series vs NZ

Pace spearhead Pooja Vastrakar and spin sensation Asha Sobhana will also miss the upcoming home ODI series against New Zealand. The two were part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign alongside Richa Ghosh.

While the BCCI stated that Vastrakar was ‘rested’ for the series, Sobhana missed making the cut owing to the injury she suffered moments before India’s final group-stage game against Australia on October 13. She sustained the injury during bowling warm-up after the toss and as a result, Radha Yadav replaced her in the team at the last minute.

“Ms. Asha Sobhana is currently nursing an injury and was unavailable for selection. Ms. Pooja Vastrakar has been rested for the series,” BCCI’s statement read further.

The three ODIs will be played on October 24, 27, and 29 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.